Aquariums for cockerels: selection, equipment and care
The cockerel is considered a bright aquarium fish, which has developed territorial character traits. This living creature is transported in separate containers. When purchasing such an unusual and wayward pet, you should think about transplanting it into an aquarium with optimal dimensions and equipment.
Peculiarities
Among the wide variety of tropical fish, the cockerel is recognized as one of the most beautiful. In nature, fighting fish prefers large bodies of water, which are characterized by a moderate current. A pet bred in captivity is distinguished by its exacting care, proper maintenance, as well as a sufficient amount of attention from its owner. If this bright pet appeared in the house, then it should be provided with a suitable aquarium with optimal lighting, heating, filtration and other amenities.
When buying an aquarium for a cockerel, it is worth remembering that only one pet can be kept in one tank, in particular this rule applies to males. If this condition is violated, the owner may witness constant fights between the fish until one of them dies.
There is a huge selection of aquariums on the market today that are designed specifically for keeping cockerels in them. They can be of different sizes and equipment.
Shapes and sizes
In order for the cockerel to feel good in an artificial ecosystem, he must have enough space. An aquarium for a cockerel is one of the closed systems that is capable of accumulating the waste products of its inhabitants.Therefore, the aquarist should remember that for every centimeter of the fish's body there should be no less than 1-1.5 liters of liquid. Accordingly, one cockerel will comfortably live in a container with a volume of at least 10 liters.
Considering the pet's curiosity and the owner's desire, you can choose a tank from 10 to 20 liters. For bright fighting pets, it is permissible to purchase a dwelling of various shapes, for example, round, rectangular, square. Ball-shaped aquariums are very popular today, but rectangular and square are considered easier to maintain.
Since bettas are true lovers of active swimming, you can buy an extended tank of 25 or 30 liters for their pleasure. The beginning in breeding cockerels can be a container of 2 liters. For a lonely aggressive male, this option can be considered optimal, but for a short period of time. If you have several fish, you can place them in a double or even triple aquarium with partitions.
Manufacturing materials
Apart from the functional differences between aquariums, such as size, shape, the presence of illumination and the like, these containers can be made of various materials.
- Silicate glass. This material is often used to create shop windows, windows. A glass aquarium is fragile, heavy and can be difficult to transport. It also has a greenish tint, which does not fade or turn yellow as time passes, if properly operated.
- Acrylic. Plexiglas is considered to be a more ductile and lighter material than the previous one. However, it is worth remembering that it lends itself better to mechanical stress, that is, it is scratched. An acrylic aquarium is characterized by low thermal conductivity, which ensures a constant temperature regime within the ecosystem, even if it changes dramatically in the environment. Tanks made of this material can have a very different interesting shape, since acrylic lends itself well to processing.
- Strained glass. These are silicate glass aquariums that have undergone a tempering process. This material is characterized by high strength, it rarely cracks, but upon impact it crumbles into thousands of small fragments.
- BSPP. Aquariums made of high-strength safety glass can be with a protective film, as well as triplex. These reservoirs remain intact after powerful physical influences.
According to the reviews of consumers and sellers of aquariums, we can conclude that the most popular are tanks for keeping cockerels, which are made of silicate glass, since they are inherent in strength, ease of use and low cost. If you want to purchase a large aquarium, the volume of which is approximately 400 liters, you should pay attention to the options made of acrylic.
How to choose?
When choosing an aquarium and buying the one that works best for the bettas, you should take into account the size, shape, filtration and other parameters. As for the size of the tank, it is worth remembering: the larger it is, the better for the residents.
A small and cramped tank can be harmful to the betta. Therefore, the opinion that a nano aquarium or a glass aquarium with a volume of 1-3 liters is optimal for a given type of fish is in fact wrong.
If the apartment has a limited amount of space, then you can purchase a medium-sized aquarium. However, it is worth remembering that for the health, activity of the fish and the normal state of the water, it is better to give preference to a large reservoir. Currently, the consumer may face the problem of choosing the shape of the aquarium.
When buying a tank, the owner can only be guided by his own taste and preferences; the shape of the tank does not matter for the fish. The pet only needs a spacious aquarium with quality maintenance.
How to equip?
The main myth about cockerels is that they are able to lead a normal life, living in a glass or vase. The owner of a decorative pet should remember that it will delight the eye for a long time only if the aquarium is properly equipped. The presence of a cover or a cover glass, as well as a filter and a heater, is considered mandatory.
When choosing a soil, you should give preference to a dark, unpainted one. If you wish, you can plant vegetation on it, it is better to take a substrate of a fine fraction. Both live and artificial plants can be purchased at the market and in the store. Living greens will maintain the necessary biological balance while looking quite natural.
Living vegetation requires care, proper lighting. The exceptions are mosses and lichens, which live in moderate light. Plastic plants do not need to be cared for, but they often injure males and can release toxic substances. Since the cockerel is a tropical fish, it needs a tank with a heater. The optimal water temperature is considered to be from 24 to 28 degrees above zero.
An aquarium with a filter, even the weakest, will be a worthy option for the normal life of a bright pet. In this situation, aeration of the liquid is not required, since living creatures of this species breathe using atmospheric air. It is also advisable to purchase illuminated aquariums, as natural light can lead to the development of algae., and also cause temperature differences in the ecosystem.
You can decorate the dwelling of cockerels with stones, driftwood, coconut shells, and ceramics. At the same time, it is worth remembering that the piece of furniture should not be with sharp corners, as well as too cheap and toxic. An aquarium with a waterfall is not the best option, since in the natural environment, fighting fish are not used to such conditions.
Where to place?
The location of the aquarium plays an important role in maintaining the health and longevity of the cockerel. When choosing a place, you need to take into account the following nuances:
- identify the reservoir together with its inhabitants in a quiet place where there is no heat;
- the site should be illuminated with not too intense natural radiation;
- the presence of noise can cause panic attacks and stressful conditions in the fish, which entails the formation of fin rot;
- the aquarium should not be placed next to the heating system, as this provokes temperature changes within the ecosystem.
How to care?
After the aquarium is equipped and fish are launched into it, you should think about caring for it. Fish need to be fed regularly, while examining their condition. Also, do not forget about the daily check of the installed equipment. Once a week, it is worth changing the water in the tank at a rate of 30% of the totalwhile removing detritus and clearing the sight glass from algae. You also need to regularly clean the substrate from waste and faeces. The owner of the aquarium should not forget about caring for the vegetation and cooling the container in extreme heat.
See the following video for tips on how to choose and run a cockerel aquarium.